Assessment of risk factors of suicidal ideation in oral and maxillofacial cancer patients of Nagpur region: An analytical cross-sectional study.

Even though most of the research on suicidal ideation, attempts, and completed among cancer patients has been conducted in developed countries, little attention is given to it in low and middle-income and developing countries including India. The presence of suicidal ideation with oral cancer may produces complications with the treatment of cancer that can lead to poor adherence with treatment, worsening of the condition, and affect quality of life. It can also tend to make people unknowingly end their lives and increases mortality from the diseases. Suicide rates among cancer patients are generally thought to be twice as high as that of the general population. However, patients with oral cancer are at much higher risk for suicide; patients may also be more at risk at certain times during their oral cancer trajectory. Although high prevalence of oral cancer patients in India, no efforts has taken to identify the factors which are provocative for suicidal ideation. This is the neglected aspect in such populations in India on contrary to developed countries. This grave concern needs to be attended and for identifying risk factors and intervening on time which can be a life saver for oral cancer patients. Suicidal Ideation among Oral cancer patients and factors contributing to it is not yet established in Indian Population. Therefore, this study is designed to assess the risk factors for suicidal ideation in Oral and maxillofacial cancer patients in Nagpur region.

Research question or hypothesis

Primary Research Question What are the risk factors of suicidal ideation in oral and maxillofacial cancer patients of Nagpur region.?

Null Hypothesis:  There is no significant association between the assessed risk factors and suicidal ideation in oral and maxillofacial cancer patients of Nagpur region.

Alternate Hypothesis: There is significant association between the assessed risk factors and suicidal ideation in oral and maxillofacial cancer patients of Nagpur region.

Aim and Objectives

Aim of the study:  To assess various risk factors of suicidal ideation in Oral and maxillofacial cancer patients of Nagpur region.

Primary Objectives of the study

1. To identify demographic factors contributing to suicidal ideation in oral and maxillofacial cancer patients in Nagpur region.

2. To assess the impact of oral and maxillofacial cancer related factors and treatment modalities on suicidal ideation in Nagpur region.

3. To assess the psychological distress and psychosocial variables on the occurrence of suicidal thoughts of oral and maxillofacial cancer patients in Nagpur region.

Secondary Objective of the study

1. To estimate the prevalence of suicidal ideation in oral and maxillofacial cancer patients in Nagpur region.